Nenagh Ormond's relegation from Division 1A confirmed despite close contest with Terenure College

All-Ireland League - Division 1A - Round 15

Nenagh Ormond 31 

Terenure College 40

Report by Mike McMahon

A sizeable number of Terenure supporters made the journey to New Ormond Park last Saturday fully confident of a victory which would cement their team’s position in the play-off positions of AIL Division 1A.  

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Unusually, it might be said that both sets of supporters left the ground happy after this round 15 tie. The Dubliners secured the five points they were seeking but not without having to overcome a superbly spirited performance by the home side, who played some scintillating rugby and were competitive throughout.

After a cagey opening, Terenure took the lead when hooker Harry O’Neill powered over from close range for the opening try. 

Given the stacked lineup that the visitors had at their disposal, there was reason to fear a long day at the office for Nenagh; they responded admirably.

After concerted pressure deep in Terenure territory, out-half Derek Corcoran found Patrick Scully with a majestic bridge pass to send the winger over in the corner for his side’s first try. Conor McMahon levelled the scores with a superb touchline conversion.

The vocal home support got more to cheer five minutes later when full-back Davey Gleeson burst through a gap to give Nenagh the lead with a well-taken try. In what was an open and exciting game of rugby, Nenagh were certainly putting it up to their on-paper more illustrious opponents and had lots of good moments before Terenure hit back with tries from out-half Aran Egan and the electric Caspar Gabriel.

Just as it looked like they might trail going into the second half, Nenagh produced the best try of the match, going through several phases before McMahon broke down the left to put Scully over in the corner. With the conversion successful, the scores were tied at 19-19 with the game very much in the balance at half-time.

The second half began in a similar vein to the first, with both sides moving the ball at every opportunity. Terenure regained the lead when prop Marcus Hanan showed good footwork to force his way over on 48 minutes, but Nenagh hit back immediately, showing excellent interplay to put Gleeson over in the corner.

A yellow card for hooker Dylan Murphy for collapsing a maul three minutes later put Nenagh at a disadvantage, and sustained attack from Terenure eventually led to number 8 Will Hickey forcing his way over for his side’s fifth try and a nine-point lead.

When replacement centre Pa Ryan ran a good line to breach a tired Nenagh defence with 10 minutes remaining, the outcome was pretty much decided. In a rousing finale, however, the home side threw everything at their opponents and were eventually rewarded with a fifth try through lock Jake O’Kelly just before the death. 

Although relegation to Division 1B was confirmed by this defeat, if Nenagh can produce the same spirit in their remaining three games, then the elusive win which they desperately seek is surely not too far away.

Scorers: Nenagh Ormond: Tries: Patrick Scully (2), David Gleeson (2), Jake O’Kelly; Cons: Conor McMahon (3).

Terenure College: Tries: Harry O’Neill, Aran Egan, Casper Gabriel, Marcus Hanan, Will Hickey, Pa Ryan; Cons: Chris Cosgrave (5).

Nenagh Ormond: David Gleeson, Conor O’Shaughnessy, Conor McMahon, Willie Coffey, Patrick Scully, Derek Corcoran, Charlie O’Doherty, Mikey Doran, Dylan Murphy, Matthew Burke, Kevin Seymour, Jake O’Kelly, John O’Flaherty, Joe Coffey, John Brislane.

Replacements: Jack Devanny, Niall O’Gorman, Kevin O’Flaherty, Rob Buckley, Sean Frawley, Luke Kerr.

Terenure College: Adam La Grue, Joshua Kenny, Pa Ryan, Casper Gabriel, Chris Cosgrove, Aran Egan, Griffin Culver, Marcus Hanan, Harry O’Neill, Adam Tuite, Oisin Shannon, Sean Rigney, Luke Clohessy, Daragh Brooks, Will Hickey.

Replacements: Karl O’Brien, Darragh Brennan, Mike Murphy, Harrison Brewer, Conor McKeon, Caolan Dooley.

Referee: Sam Holt

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